An image forming device is capable of making data communication with at least one printing device through a network. The image forming device comprises: a print job acquiring part for acquiring a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing; an image forming part for producing a printed output by executing the print job; an event detecting part for detecting occurrence of an event; and a print preview processing part for acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the image forming part, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when the print job is executed in the at least one printing device, and for outputting the first and second print preview images. The print preview processing part acquires and outputs the first and second print preview images when the event detecting part detects occurrence of the event.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An image forming device capable of making data communication with at least one printing device through a network, the image forming device comprising: a print job acquiring part for acquiring a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing; an image forming part for producing a printed output by executing said print job; an event detecting part for detecting occurrence of an event; and a print preview processing part for acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said image forming part, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said at least one printing device, and for outputting said first and second print preview images, said print preview processing part acquiring and outputting said first and second print preview images when said event detecting part detects occurrence of said event, wherein said event is an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part.
An image forming device (like a printer or multifunction device) communicates with other printers over a network. It takes a print job from a user and normally prints it. However, if a problem arises that stops it from printing (like low toner), it shows the user two previews: one of what the print would look like if printed on the device itself, and another of what it would look like if printed on another printer on the network. This lets the user see alternative printing options when the main device has a problem.
2. The image forming device according to claim 1 , wherein multiple printing devices are connected to said network, and when said event detecting part detects occurrence of said event, said print preview processing part acquires respective second print preview images showing printed outputs to be produced when said print job is executed in said multiple printing devices, and outputs said first print preview image and said respective second print preview images.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews has multiple printers on the network. When a problem occurs, it shows a preview of what the print job would look like on the local device AND previews of what the print job would look like on each of the other printers on the network. This provides the user with multiple alternative printer previews when the main device has a printing issue.
3. The image forming device according to claim 2 , further comprising a print job transferring part for receiving instructions to transfer said print job designating a printing device selected from among said multiple printing devices after said print preview processing part outputs said first and second print preview images, and transferring said print job to the designated printing device.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews and that displays previews for multiple printers includes a feature to transfer the print job. After the previews are shown (local printer plus network printers), the user can select one of the network printers. The device then automatically sends the print job to that selected printer for printing.
4. The image forming device according to claim 1 , wherein said print preview processing part includes a print preview image creating part, and when said event detecting part detects occurrence of said event, said print preview image creating part creates said first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said image forming part, and said second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said at least one printing device.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews includes a module to create the print preview images. When the event occurs, this module generates the preview image for the local device and the preview image(s) for the alternative printer(s) on the network. This centralizes the print preview generation functionality.
5. The image forming device according to claim 4 , further comprising a printing device information acquiring part for acquiring printing device information containing a print setting that can be selected when said at least one printing device produces a printed output, wherein said print preview image creating part creates said second print preview image based on said printing device information.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews and has a print preview image creation module gathers information about the network printers. This information includes the print settings available on those printers. The print preview generation module uses this information to create accurate previews of how the print job will look on each specific network printer, considering its individual settings.
6. The image forming device according to claim 5 , further comprising a storage part in which said printing device information acquired by said printing device information acquiring part is stored, wherein when said event detecting part detects occurrence of said event, said print preview image creating part creates said second print preview image based on said printing device information acquired and stored in advance in said storage part by said printing device information acquiring part.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews, has a print preview image creation module, and printer setting retrieval, stores the printer settings information it acquires from the other network printers. When a problem occurs and previews are needed, the print preview module uses the *stored* information to create the previews, instead of having to request the printer information at that moment, improving speed.
7. The image forming device according to claim 1 , wherein when said event detecting part detects occurrence of said event, said print preview processing part sends a request to said at least one printing device to create said second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said at least one printing device, and acquires said second print preview image created by said at least one printing device.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews doesn't create the preview for the network printer itself. Instead, when a problem is detected, it asks the other printer to create its own preview image and then sends the generated image back to the original device. The original device then displays the preview received from the other printer.
8. The image forming device according to claim 1 , wherein said print preview processing part further includes a print preview screen creating part, and said print preview screen creating part creates a screen on which said first and second print preview images are arranged in a predetermined pattern.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews has a module dedicated to creating the *screen* that displays the print previews. This screen creation module arranges the local printer's preview and the alternative printer's preview(s) in a specific, pre-defined layout or pattern on the display.
9. The image forming device according to claim 8 , wherein multiple printing devices are connected to said network, and when respective second print preview images corresponding to said multiple printing devices are acquired, said print preview screen creating part arranges said respective second print preview images in descending order of frequency of use of said multiple printing devices, in a manner that a second print preview image corresponding to a printing device with a highest frequency of use is arranged closest to said first print preview image, thereby creating said screen.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews and displays a screen with previews arranges the previews from other network printers based on how often they are used. The printer used most frequently has its preview placed closest to the preview of the original printer, making it easier for the user to select the most likely alternative.
10. The image forming device according to claim 8 , wherein multiple printing devices are connected to said network, and when respective second print preview images corresponding to said multiple printing devices are acquired, said print preview screen creating part compares each of said respective second print preview images with said first print preview image, and arranges said respective second print preview images in ascending order of difference from said first print preview image, in a manner that a second print preview image corresponding to a printing device with a smallest number of differences is arranged closest to said first print preview image, thereby creating said screen.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews and displays a screen with previews compares the preview from each alternative network printer with the preview from the local printer. It then arranges the alternative printer previews based on how similar they are to the original, placing the most similar preview closest to the original.
11. The image forming device according to claim 10 , wherein said print preview screen creating part highlights a portion of each of said respective second print preview images that is not found in said first print preview image, thereby creating said screen.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews, displays a screen with previews, and orders previews by similarity highlights the differences between the alternative printer previews and the original printer preview. This visually emphasizes what will change if the user chooses a different printer.
12. The image forming device according to claim 10 , wherein said print preview screen creating part extracts only a portion of each of said respective second print preview images that is not found in said first print preview image, thereby creating said screen.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews, displays a screen with previews, and orders previews by similarity shows *only* the parts of the alternative printer previews that are different from the original printer preview, instead of showing the entire preview, focusing user attention on the differences.
13. The image forming device according to claim 10 , wherein said first print preview image and said respective second print preview images are in the form of image data obtained by rasterizing data contained in said print job when said print preview screen creating part compares each of said respective second print preview images with said first print preview image.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews, displays a screen with previews, and orders previews by similarity uses rasterized image data (pixel-based images) when comparing the previews for similarity. This means the comparison is done at the pixel level, allowing detection of subtle differences.
14. The image forming device according to claim 10 , wherein said difference comprises a difference in fonts, a difference in colors, a difference in fonts and colors, or a difference in printing costs, between respective second print preview images and said first print preview image.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews, displays a screen with previews, and orders previews by similarity defines "difference" as a difference in fonts, colors, both fonts and colors, or the estimated printing cost when comparing print previews of the multiple printing devices.
15. The image forming device according to claim 1 , wherein said event is toner shortage, sheet shortage, stapler shortage or account balance shortage.
The image forming device as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews specifies that the problem causing the previews to appear can be things like low toner, no paper, no staples, or an insufficient account balance. These are the "events" that trigger the display of alternative print options.
16. An information processing device connected through a network to multiple printing devices in a manner that allows data communication therebetween, the information processing device receiving a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing, and transmitting said print job to a printing device selected from among said multiple printing devices and designated by said instructions for printing, the information processing device comprising: an event detecting part for detecting occurrence of an event that makes production of a printed output difficult in the designated printing device; and a print preview processing part for acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said designated printing device, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in at least one printing device different from said designated printing device, and for outputting said first and second print preview images, said print preview processing part acquiring and outputting said first and second print preview images when said event detecting part detects occurrence of said event, wherein said event is an event that prevents production of a printed output in the designated printing device.
An information processing device (like a computer) connected to multiple printers detects when there's a problem printing on the *selected* printer (like low toner). When this happens, it displays two previews: one showing what the print job would look like on the selected printer (if it could print), and another showing what it would look like if printed on a *different* printer.
17. The information processing device according to claim 16 , further comprising a print job transmitting part, wherein the at least one different printing device includes multiple different printing devices, and after said print preview processing part outputs said first and second print preview images, said print job transferring part receives instructions to transfer said print job designating a printing device selected from among said multiple different printing devices, and transfers said print job to the designated printing device selected from said multiple different printing devices.
The information processing device as described that detects an event that prevents production of a printed output in the designated printing device includes a module to transfer the print job to another printer. After the user sees the previews (selected printer and other printers), they can choose one of the *other* printers. The device then sends the print job to that chosen printer.
18. A print preview processing method employed in an image forming device capable of making data communication with at least one printing device through a network, the method comprising the steps of: (a) acquiring a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing; (b) detecting occurrence of an event in said image forming device; (c) acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said image forming device, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said at least one printing device; and (d) outputting said first and second print preview images when the occurrence of an evnt is detected, wherein said event is an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part.
A method for an image forming device that communicates with other printers: when printing a document, if a problem occurs (like low toner), generate and display a preview of how it would look printed on the device AND a preview of how it would look printed on at least one other printer on the network, so the user can choose an alternative.
19. The print preview processing method according to claim 18 , further comprising the step of: receiving instructions to transfer said print job to a designated printing device selected from said at least one printing device after said first and second print preview images are output, and transferring said print job to the designated printing device.
The print preview processing method as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the image forming part triggers display of print previews allows the user to choose one of the other printers *after* seeing the previews. The method then sends the print job to the selected printer for printing.
20. A print preview processing method employed in an image forming system in which multiple printing devices are connected through a network in a manner that allows data communication therebetween, the image forming system receiving a print job created in response to user's instructions for printing, and transmitting said print job to a printing device selected from said multiple printing devices and designated by said instructions for printing, the method comprising the steps of: (a) detecting occurrence of an event in the designated printing device, said event making production of a printed output difficult in said designated printing device; (b) acquiring a first print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in said designated printing device, and a second print preview image showing a printed output to be produced when said print job is executed in at least one printing device different from said designated printing device when occurrence of said event is detected; and (d) outputting said first and second print preview images when the occurrence of an event is detected, wherein said event is an event that prevents production of a printed output in the designated printing device.
A print preview processing method used in a system with multiple networked printers: when a user's selected printer has a problem (like being out of paper), a preview is generated of what the print would look like on the selected printer AND a preview of what it would look like printed on at least one *different* printer, so the user can consider alternatives.
21. The print preview processing method according to claim 20 , further comprising the step of: receiving instructions to transfer said print job to a designated printing device selected from said at least one printing device after said first and second print preview images are output, and transferring said print job to the designated printing device.
The print preview processing method as described where an event that prevents production of a printed output in the designated printing device triggers display of print previews allows the user to choose one of the *other* printers after seeing the previews. The method then sends the print job to that chosen printer.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 6, 2010
July 16, 2013
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